IONIA. Magnesia ad Maeandrum. Trajan, 98-117. Assarion (Bronze, 19 mm, 4.92 g, 1 h). ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ Laureate head of Trajan to right. Rev. ΜΑΓ ΛΕΥΚΟΦΡΥϹ Cult statue of Artemis Leukophryene facing, with polos on head and fillets hanging from wrists, being crowned by two Nikai. RPC III 2117. SNG Copenhagen 861. Minor pitting, otherwise, very fine.


'Leukophryene' literally translates as 'with white eyebrows', and was derived from the Ionian city of Leukophrys, an important center for the Artemis cult. According to Vitruvius, Magnesia ad Maeandrum (on our coin called Magnesia Leukophrys in honor of the goddess) housed a temple of Artemis Leukophryene designed by the architect, Hermogenes, in 200 BC, which was famed in Antiquity for its well-proportioned architecture.